Learning To Cook

Her T-shirt is a Picasso
Of spices and oils and condiments:
Geurnica splattered
Down her front.
Floury hands
Unencumbered by experience
Fumble with shakers
And spatulas.
I pretend to be reading
But glittering eyes
And lips twisted in concentration
Are hard to ignore.

*DING*
“Here y’go!
Fresh outta the oven!”
I receive the gift
And my fingers stick
To both bowl and spoon.

Like an elementary school band
There is sensory chaos.
Every market stall
Along the Silk Road
Clamours in my mouth.
As my eyes water
I realise
I have never tasted
Anything so lovely.

Erik Peters is a teacher and avid mediaevalist from Vancouver, Canada. Throughout his career Erik has worked with marginalised and disadvantaged students and this has profoundly impacted his writing. Erik has been published in numerous magazines and websites over the past two years including Coffin Bell, Showbear Family Circus, Prospectus, Wingless Dreamer, Penumbra, and The Dead Mule School. You can find links to all Erik's publications at erikpeters.ca or @erikpeterswrites.